Scaffolding securement system

ABSTRACT

An improved scaffolding securement system is provided which is adjustable and reusable. By securing a first threaded bar to a building and a second threaded bar to a scaffold, a turnbuckle provided therebetween allows for incremental adjustment of the distance between the scaffold and the building as desired. Additionally, as the profile of the portion of the scaffolding securement system connected to the structure is slightly smaller than a standard brick, only one brick need be left out of the structure and subsequently placed when the scaffolding securement system is removed. By utilizing a collar around the scaffold, the scaffolding securement system allows for incremental lateral adjustments of the scaffolding securement system relative to the scaffold, with a set screw locking the scaffolding securement system relative to the scaffold when the desired orientation has been achieved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a scaffolding securementsystem and, more particularly, to a reusable scaffolding securementsystem which is reusable and adjustable.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is known in the art to secure scaffolding to buildings duringconstruction to reduce dangers to workers associated with thescaffolding moving or falling in relationship to the building.Typically, in prior art construction, scaffolding is retained to abuilding utilizing thick wire wound back and forth between a leg of thescaffolding and a stud or joist associated with the building. Onedrawback associated with such prior art securement methods is theavailability of a securement device. If a worker relies on scrap wire tosecure the scaffolding and scrap wire is not available, often times thescaffolding cannot be properly secured. An additional drawbackassociated with prior art securement methods is the inaccessibility ofwire cutters and other tools which may be necessary to secure thescaffolding to the building using wire.

Still another drawback associated with the prior art is the lack ofsafety associated with the prior art method of wiring scaffolding to abuilding. As there are no standards associated with the thickness of thewire used to secure scaffolding or the method of connecting thescaffolding using the wire, the use of old, rusted or thin wire, and theinsecure tying or lack of tying of the wire, can result in the wirefailing to secure the scaffolding at a critical time, resulting in thescaffolding shifting or falling relative to the structure.

Another drawback associated with prior art scaffolding securementsystems is the use of unprotected wire may result in the wire becomingrusted and weakened through exposure to the elements. Such weakened andrusted wire may fail at a critical juncture, causing death or injury toworkers falling from the scaffolding. Yet another drawback associatedwith prior art scaffolding securement means is the time required forinstallation. In addition to the time required for locating a sufficientlength of wire or similar securement material, it can often take asubstantial amount of time to secure the wire to the scaffolding againstmovement relative thereto, as well as to the building. It would,therefore, be desirable to provide a weather resistant scaffoldsecurement system which is quickly installed to both the scaffolding andthe building.

An additional drawback associated with the prior art is that the scrapwire used to secure the scaffolding to the building may be used forother projects. If a worker is in need of a piece of scrap wire and seesa piece of scrap wire securing the scaffolding to the building, theworker may be tempted to remove the wire for the alternate project,thereby leaving the scaffolding unsecured. It would, therefore, bedesirable to provide a consistent, lightweight, inexpensive method forsecuring scaffolding to a building. It would also be desirable toprovide a secure connection of the scaffolding to the building withoutthe use of tools. It would furthermore be desirable to provide adedicated connection system for connecting scaffolding to a building toreduce the likelihood of the securement method being scavenged foranother project. The difficulties encountered in the prior art discussedhereinabove are substantially eliminated by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an advantage provided by this invention, a scaffolding securementsystem is provided which is of a low-cost, lightweight manufacture.

Advantageously, this invention provides a scaffolding securement systemwhich is weather resistant and requires low maintenance.

Advantageously, this invention provides a scaffolding securement systemwhich may be quickly installed and uninstalled from both a scaffoldingand building.

Advantageously, this invention provides a scaffolding securement systemwhich is modular, allowing for quick on-site maintenance.

Advantageously, this invention provides a scaffolding securement systemwhich is adaptable to a plurality of buildings.

Advantageously, in a preferred example of this invention, a scaffoldingsecurement system is provided with a scaffold securement and a supportsecurement. Means are provided for moving the scaffold securement andthe support securement toward one another in response to the applicationof rotational force. Preferably, the moving means is a turnbucklethreadably coupled to the scaffold securement and the supportsecurement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of the scaffolding securementsystem of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded side perspective in cross-section of thescaffolding securement system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation in partial cross-section of aplurality of scaffolding securement systems securing scaffolding to abuilding;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation in cross-section of a turnbuckle ofan alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of an alternative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded side perspective of the alternativeembodiment of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of an alternative collar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A scaffolding securement system is shown generally as (10) in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the scaffolding securement system (10) includesa turnbuckle (12). The turnbuckle (12) is preferably constructed ofgalvanized steel and is provided with a pair of handles (14) and (16)welded thereto. The handles (14) and (16) may be of any suitable size,dimension or construction, but are preferably galvanized steel shaftsone-half centimeter in diameter and ten centimeters in length, welded tothe body (18) of the turnbuckle (12). The shaft (18) is preferably aone-inch diameter galvanized steel pipe.

The shaft (18) may be provided with any desired number of handles and/orknurled or otherwise made easier to rotate. The shaft (18) is preferablytwenty-four inches in length. Welded into each end of the shaft (18) isa nut (20) and (22), each having its edges turned down so as to fitwithin the shaft (18) and be welded thereto. Each of the nuts (20) and(22) preferably defines a one-half inch threaded interior (24) and (26).The nuts (20) and (22) are preferably reversed so that the threadeddiameters (24) and (26) are threaded in opposite directions.Alternatively, the shaft (18) may simply be constructed with each endhaving a reversely threaded interior diameter.

As shown in FIG. 2, the scaffolding securement system (10) is alsoprovided with a threaded straight bar (28) and a threaded eye-bar (30).The threaded straight bar (28) and threaded eye-bar (30) are preferablythreaded in opposite directions to fit into mating engagement with thenuts (20) and (22) respectively. The threaded straight bar (28) ispreferably fourteen inches long, one-half inch in diameter and providedwith standard threading. The threaded eye-bar (30) is preferably nineinches long, one-half inch in diameter, and provided with reversethreading. As shown in FIG. 2, the threaded straight bar (28) andthreaded eye-bar (30) are each provided with a wing nut (32) and (34),with the wing nut (32) secured to the threaded straight bar (28)provided with standard threading, and the wing nut (34) secured to thethreaded eye-bar (30) provided with reverse threading.

The scaffold securement system (10) is also provided with a brace plate(36) having a nut (38) welded thereto. The brace plate (36) is alsoprovided with six holes 5/16″ in diameter (42) and two holes ⅜″ indiameter (44). Also secured to the threaded straight bar (28) is astandard thread lock nut (46) defining a standard thread ½″ interior(48).

The threaded eye-bar (30) is provided with an eyelet (50) which engageswith a collar (52) (FIG. 2). The collar (52) is constructed out ofgalvanized steel. The collar (52) includes a ring (54) welded to a firstshoulder (56) defining a first hole (58) and a second shoulder (60)defining a second hole (62). The first shoulder (56) and second shoulder(60) are preferably of a thickness and spaced apart a sufficientdistance to accommodate the eyelet (50) of the threaded eye-bar (30)therebetween. Once the hole (64) of the eyelet (50) is aligned with thefirst hole (58) of the first shoulder (56) and second hole (62) of thesecond shoulder (60), a shaft (66) of a spring clip (68) is providedtherethrough and secured with a spring (70). The threaded eye-bar (30)is thereby journaled to the collar (52). As shown in FIG. 2, the collar(52) is also provided with a threaded hole (72) through which isprovided a set screw (74).

When it is desired to utilize the scaffold securement system (10) of thepresent invention, the brace plate (36) is secured to a building (76),such as a building. Depending on the type of building (76), the braceplate (36) may be secured to a wooden stud or to concrete (78), as shownin FIG. 3. If the brace plate (36) is to be secured to a wooden stud,standard lag bolts (80) may be secured into the stud (not shown). In thepreferred embodiment, holes (82) are drilled into the concrete (78)which are then fitted with redhead drop-ins (84) or similar boltretainers, such as those known in the art, to receive the lag bolts (80)provided through the ⅜″ holes (44) of the brace plate (36). If desired,instead of providing ⅜″ lag bolts (80) through the ⅜″ holes (44) of thebrace plate (36), 5/16″ lag bolts (not shown) may be provided throughthe 5/16″ holes (42) of the brace plate (36). Alternatively, anycombination of ⅜″ lag bolts (80) and 5/16″ lag bolts (not shown) may beutilized in any combination of 5/16″ holes (42) and ⅜″ holes (44) of thebrace plate (36).

As shown in FIG. 3, the brace plate (36) is preferably sized slightlysmaller than a standard brick (86). Accordingly, as the bricks (86) areapplied to the concrete (78), a single brick (86) may be left out of thepattern to allow the brace plate (36) to be secured to the concrete(78). As shown in FIG. 3, once the brace plate (36) has been secured tothe concrete (78), the lock nut (46) is secured over the threadedstraight bar (28), and the threaded straight bar (28) is thereafterthreaded into the nut (38) of the brace plate (36).

Once the threaded straight bar (28) has been secured fully to the nut(38), the lock nut (46) is then tightened toward the nut (38) of thebrace plate (36) to prevent undesired rotation of the threaded straightbar (28) relative to the brace plate (36). Thereafter, the wing nut (34)is secured to the threaded straight bar (28) and the turnbuckle (12) isthen rotated onto the threaded straight bar (28). The wing nut (32) isthen threadably secured to the threaded eye-bar (30), and the threadedeye-bar (30) is thereafter threaded into engagement with the nut (20) ofthe shaft (18) of the turnbuckle (12). Depending on the distance that isdesired to secure a scaffold (88) from the building (76), the threadedstraight bar (28) and threaded eye-bar (30) are secured sufficientlyinto the shaft (18) so as to allow additional room for the turnbuckle(12) to draw the threaded straight bar (28) and threaded eye-bar (30)toward one another or away from one another as desired. The length ofthe shaft (18), threaded straight bar (28) and threaded eye-bar (30) mayalso be adjusted as desired in length and thickness to accommodatevarious sizes of scaffolds (88) at various distances from the building(76).

Preferably, the scaffold (88) is erected at the desired distance fromthe building (76), and the collar (52) is fitted over a vertical post(90) associated with the scaffold (88). The first shoulder (56) andsecond shoulder (60) of the collar (52) are then aligned with the hole(64) of the eyelet (50) and journaled thereto using the spring clip(68). Once the height of the collar (52) along the vertical post (90)has been set to provide the turnbuckle (12) on a substantially levelplane, and the collar (52) has been rotated relative to the threadedeye-bar (30) so as to reduce any undesired torsion between the scaffoldsecurement system (10) and scaffold (88), the set screw (74) istightened to secure the collar (52) against undesired movement. As shownin FIG. 3, as the scaffold (88) increases in height, a secondscaffolding securement system (92) may be secured between the scaffold(88) and the building (76) to secure the scaffold (88) at variousdesired heights.

An alternative embodiment of the scaffold securement system of thepresent invention is shown generally as (94) in FIG. 4. In thisembodiment, the straight bar (98) is simply journaled to the turnbuckle(96) while the eye-bar (100) is threaded to the turnbuckle (96). In thisembodiment of the scaffold securement system (94), as the turnbuckle(96) rotates, only the eye-bar (100) moves relative to the turnbuckle(96). The straight bar (98) merely allows the turnbuckle (96) to rotaterelative to the straight bar (98). Alternatively, the straight bar (98)may be threaded to the turnbuckle (96) and the eye-bar (100) simplyjournaled to the turnbuckle (96).

An alternative embodiment of the scaffold securement system is showngenerally as (102) in FIG. 5. The scaffolding securement system includesa first piece of coil rod (104) and a second piece of reversely threadedcoil rod (106). The coil rod (104) and (106) is preferably one-half inchin diameter and is a type known in the art for securement of concretefor the construction of bridges and the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, a first piece of coil (108) designed for matingengagement with the coil rod (104) is slid into a piece of galvanizedpipe (110), such as that described above. The coil (108) is preferablyapproximately two inches long and is provided with support bars (112)and (114) welded to the coiled spring (116), as is known in the art forsuch coils to prevent the coil (108) from unraveling. As shown in FIG.6, the pipe (110) is provided with cutouts (118) and (120) toaccommodate the support rods (112) and (114). As shown in FIG. 5, oncethe coil (108) is provided into the pipe (110), the support rods (112)and (114) are secured to the pipe (110) by weldments (122) and (124),provided along the lengths of the supports rods (112) and (114). Asshown in FIG. 5, the weldments (122) and (124) preferably taper from thesupport rods (112) and (114) to the pipe (110). As shown in FIGS. 5 and6, the coil rod (106) is provided within the coil (126). The coil (126)is secured to the pipe (110) by weldments (128) and (130), securing thesupport rods (132) and (134) to the pipe (110). The coil (126) ispreferably threaded in reverse from the coil (108) to fit into matingengagement with the coil rod (106).

The alternative scaffold securement system (102) is preferably providedwith a brace plate (136) similar to that described above. A coil nut(138) is preferably welded to the brace plate (136) to receive the coilrod (106). A lock coil nut (140) is preferably provided around the coilrod (106) to lock the coil rod (106) against undesired movement relativeto the brace plate (136). Another lock coil nut (142) is secured aroundthe coil rod (106) to lock the coil rod (106) against undesired movementrelative to the pipe (110). Welded to the lock coil nut (142) is a flatwasher (143) which seats against the pipe (110).

In a similar manner, the coil rod (104) is provided with a lock coil nut(144) welded to a washer (145) to secure the coil rod (104) againstundesired movement relative to the pipe (110). Another lock coil nut(146) is welded to the end of the coil rod (104) and a wobble joint(148) is welded to both the lock coil nut (146) and the coil rod (104).Provided over the wobble joint (148) is a collar (150) secured forwobble movement in relationship to the wobble joint (148). As shown inFIG. 5, the collar (150) is provided with a base (152) secured aroundthe wobble joint (148). Hingeably coupled to the base plate (152) is aclasp (154). As shown in FIG. 5, the base plate (152) and clasp (154)coact to form a circular engagement for accommodation of a leg of ascaffold. Also hingeably coupled to the base plate (152) is a lock screw(156). The lock screw (156) is configured to pivot into engagement witha lip (158) on the clasp (154). Thereafter, a nut (160) provided aroundthe locking screw (156) is secured down against the lip (158) to securea leg of a scaffold in the collar (150). When it is desired to releasethe collar (150), the nut (160) is reversed so that the locking screw(156) may be disengaged from the lip (158), and the collar (150)released from the scaffold leg.

Although the scaffolding securement system (102) may be provided withhandles in a manner such as that described above, preferably the supportrods (112), (114), (132) and (134) extend sufficiently from the pipe(110) to allow the pipe (110) to be grasp with fixed or adjustablewrenches or pliers, and rotated to extend or retract the coil rods (104)and (106) from the pipe (110), in a manner such as that described above.

An alternative collar of the present invention is shown generally as(162) in FIG. 7. The collar (162) is configured to receive and securescaffold legs having a square cross section. As shown, the collar (162)is provided with a generally U-shaped base (164), having a shoulder(166) coupled to a first arm (168) and a second arm (170). As shown inFIG. 7, the first arm (168) is provided with a slot (172). Hingeablycoupled to the second arm (170) is a top (174) to which, in turn, ishingeably coupled a latch (176). The latch (176) is provided with anupwardly angled lip (178), which is sized and configured for engagementwith the opening (172) in the first arm (168). When it is desired toutilize the collar (162), the collar (162) is provided around the squareleg of a scaffolding and the upwardly angled lip (178) is engaged intothe opening (172) provided on the first arm (168). Thereafter, athreaded tightening bolt (180) is rotated to engage a foot (182) withthe leg of the scaffold.

As shown in FIG. 7, a nut (184) is welded to the top (174) to engage thethread tightening bolt (180). As the foot (183) engages the leg of thescaffolding, the tightening bolt (180) applies upward pressure on thetop (174), thereby further locking the lip (178) into engagement withthe first arm (168) through the opening (172).

The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate theinvention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar asthe claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art that have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variationstherein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example,the scaffold securement system (10) of the present invention may beprovided with any desired dimensions and constructed of any desiredmaterial known in the art.

1. A scaffold support comprising: (a) a scaffold securement; (b) asupport securement; and (c) means coupled to said support securement andto said scaffold securement for moving said support securement and saidscaffold securement toward one another in response to application ofrotational force.
 2. The scaffold support of claim 1, comprising meansfor locking said moving means against rotational movement.
 3. Thescaffold support of claim 1, wherein said moving means is a turnbuckle.4. The scaffold support of claim 3, wherein said scaffold securement isthreadably coupled to said turnbuckle.
 5. The scaffold support of claim3, wherein said support securement is threadably coupled to saidturnbuckle.
 6. The scaffold support of claim 4, comprising means forlocking said moving means against rotational movement.
 7. The scaffoldsupport of claim 6, wherein said locking means is a nut threadablycoupled to said scaffold securement.
 8. The scaffold support of claim 3,further comprising a handle coupled to said turnbuckle.
 9. The scaffoldsupport of claim 1, wherein said support securement comprises a barsecured is a plate.
 10. The scaffold support of claim 9, wherein saidplate is threadably secured to a building.
 11. The scaffold support ofclaim 9, wherein said plate is provided with a plurality of holes. 12.The scaffold support of claim 1, wherein said scaffold securementcomprises: (a) a threaded bar; and (b) means releasably coupled to saidthreaded bar for mounting said threaded bar to a scaffold.
 13. Ascaffold support comprising: (a) a first bar; (b) means for securingsaid first bar to a scaffold; (c) a second bar; (d) means for securingsaid second bar to a building; and (e) means coupled to said first barand said second bar for moving said first bar toward said second bar inresponse to application of rotational force.
 14. The scaffold support ofclaim 13, wherein said moving means is a turnbuckle.
 15. The scaffoldsupport of claim 14, wherein said moving means is threadably coupled tosaid first bar and journaled to said second bar.
 16. The scaffoldsupport of claim 13, wherein said first bar is journaled to saidturnbuckle and threadably coupled to said second bar.
 17. The scaffoldsupport of claim 13, wherein said first bar and said second bar arethreadably coupled to said turnbuckle.
 18. The scaffold support of claim17, wherein said first bar is reverse threaded relative to said secondbar.
 19. A scaffold support comprising: (a) a turnbuckle; (b) a firstbar coupled to said turnbuckle; (c) means for securing said first bar toa scaffold; (d) a second bar coupled to said turnbuckle; and (e) meansfor attaching said second bar to a building.
 20. The scaffold support ofclaim 19, further comprising means for locking movement of saidturnbuckle relative to said first bar.